For more than four decades, S. Sally Duffy has been a steadfast advocate for justice, service, and systemic change. As a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, S. Sally says her journey is a calling—one rooted in faith, compassion, and a commitment to uplifting those most in need.
In 2000, S. Sally transitioned into a pivotal role with the SC Ministry Foundation at the invitation of the late S. Maryanna Coyle, then-president of the foundation. This opportunity aligned not only with her professional expertise but also with her personal circumstances—her two sisters resided in Ohio, one raising a child with special needs and another battling multiple myeloma.
Her academic foundation, including a master’s in divinity, proved to be a powerful asset in her work with the foundation, a public grant-making organization supporting the mission of the Sisters of Charity. “It was three years of studying theology, spirituality, and social justice,” S. Sally reflected. “All of that intersects with what we were trying to accomplish and fulfill in the mission of the SC Ministry Foundation.”
Under her leadership, the foundation took bold steps to address critical social issues, including comprehensive immigration reform, access to legalization services, the abolition of the death penalty, and systemic poverty reduction. S. Sally has long championed the necessity to not only provide aid to those in need but also to challenge and transform the structures that perpetuate inequality.
Even after retiring from the SC Ministry Foundation in 2017, S. Sally has remained a force for change. As chair of the Children’s Poverty Collaborative, she played a key role in reducing poverty for 5,000 adults and 10,000 children in Cincinnati. Her dedication continues through service on multiple boards and advisory committees, including TriHealth, Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, Ohio Justice and Policy Center, Greater Cincinnati Port Authority, and Price Hill Will. Additionally, she contributes to initiatives such as the United Way Policy Committee, the City of Cincinnati’s Gender Equity Committee, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Immigration Task Force.
Despite her numerous accomplishments, S. Sally remains humble about her work. Her legacy is not just one of service but of transformation. Through her unwavering commitment to justice and her deep compassion for humanity, S. Sally Duffy exemplifies the enduring mission of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati—bringing hope, advocacy, and systemic change to those who need it most.
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